§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on his discussions with the West German Government on the offset arrangements; and what is the basis of the agreement now being negotiated.
§ Mr. MulleyWe are in close touch with the Federal Government about future offset arrangements. A meeting between British and German officials took place in Bonn last month, and another round of talks, at Ministerial level, will be held in London on 20th May. The basis of the agreement will be the need to secure the best practicable solution of the problem of meeting the foreign exchange costs of British forces in Germany.